No abstract

Self speech recognition tests in quiet and noise at home are compared to the standard tests performed in the clinic. Potential effects of stimuli presentation modes (loudspeaker or audio cable) and assessment (clinician or self-assessment at home) on test results were investigated. Speech recognition in quiet was assessed using the standard Dutch test with monosyllabic words. Speech recognition in noise was assessed with the digits-in-noise test. Sixteen experienced CI users (aged between 44 and 83 years) participated. No significant difference was observed in speech recognition in quiet between and presentation modes. Speech recognition in noise was significantly better with the audio cable than with the loudspeaker. There was no significant difference in speech recognition in quiet at 65 dB and in speech recognition in noise between self-assessment at home and testing in the clinic. At 55 dB, speech recognition assessed at home was slightly but significantly better than that assessed in the clinic. The results demonstrate that it is feasible for experienced CI users to perform self-administered speech recognition tests at home. Self-assessment by CI users of speech recognition in quiet and noise within the home environment could serve as an alternative to the tests performed in the clinic.

The number of cochlear implant (CI) users is increasing annually, resulting in an increase in the workload of implant centers in ongoing patient management and evaluation. Remote testing of speech recognition could be time-saving for both the implant centers as well as the patient. This study addresses two methodological challenges we encountered in the development of a remote speech recognition tool for adult CI users. First, we examined whether speech recognition in noise performance differed when the steady-state masking noise was presented throughout the test (i.e. continuous) instead of the standard clinical use for evaluation where the masking noise stops after each stimulus (i.e. discontinuous). A direct coupling between the audio port of a tablet computer to the accessory input of the sound processor with a personal audio cable was used. The setup was calibrated to facilitate presentation of stimuli at a predefined sound level. Finally, differences in frequency response between the audio cable and microphones were investigated.

Despite the high number of manual and automatically switching multimemory devices sold each year, there are remarkably few studies about the use of multiple programmes or automatic switching modes for various listening environments. No studies were found that examined the accuracy of the use of programmes for specific listening environments. An automatic switching device might be a solution if recipients are not able, or willing, to switch manually between programmes.